The 1961–62 European Cup was the seventh season of the European Cup, UEFA's premier club football tournament. The competition was won by Benfica for the second time in a row, beating Real Madrid 5–3 in the final at the Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, on 2 May 1962.[1] This outcome meant that Real Madrid became the first team to win and lose European Cup final. Ferenc Puskás scored his second hat-trick in the final of the competition, and as of 2024, is the only player to achieve this feat, as well as being the only final hat-trick scorer to end up on the losing side.[2]
Malta entered its champion for the first time this season.
Teams
A total of 29 teams participated in the competition.
For the first time since European Cup inaugural season Spain was represented by only one team – ever present Real Madrid. Benfica qualified as title holders and since they were also Portuguese champions, runners-up Sporting CP were invited. CDNA Sofia appeared in the sixth edition of European Cup, with only Real Madrid having more appearances in the competition.
Servette and Partizan returned to the tournament for the first time since 1956, while Spora Luxembourg and Vasas returned to the competition after five and four years, respectively.
All participants were their respective associations champions, except for Boldklubben 1913, IFK Göteborg and Sporting CP. The first two were leading their respective leagues in spring, but finished third in autumn of 1961.[3]
The draw for the preliminary round took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 4 July 1961.[4] As title holders, Benfica received a bye, and the remaining 28 teams were grouped geographically into two pots. The first team drawn in each pot also received a bye, while the remaining clubs would play the first round in September.
Pot 1 Northern Europe
Pot 2 Southern Europe
Drawn
Northern Ireland England West Germany East Germany Poland Norway Sweden Denmark Netherlands France Republic of Ireland Belgium Luxembourg Scotland
Spain Portugal Switzerland Austria Romania Bulgaria Greece Czechoslovakia Hungary Yugoslavia Italy Malta
^The second leg was scratched and Vorwärts Berlin were advanced to the first round as Linfield were unable to arrange an alternate venue after UK immigration officials refused to issue the East German team visas to enter the country.
^The Rangers–Vorwärts Berlin tie was scheduled to be played at Ibrox Park in Glasgow, but was moved to the Malmö Stadion in Malmö, Sweden after the East German club were again refused visas to enter the UK. The original match in Malmö was abandoned due to heavy fog with Rangers leading 1–0, and the match was replayed the following morning.
